With the first round of public open houses complete, TriMet on Wednesday will present it's “refined fare and service proposal.” But don't get your hopes up that Oregon's largest public transit agency is thinking about backing out of plans to hike fares and end the free rail zone in its drive to fill a $17 million budget gap. Most of the refinements likely will alter proposed route cuts and changes. (For instance, there are indications that TriMet may have had a change of heart about eliminating the Line 9 in Northeast Portland).

First, Volvo introduced a pedestrian warning and braking system. Now the automaker's Swedish engineers have developed the industry's first pedestrian airbag for the Volvo V40. Upon impact, the airbag will deploy across the windshield. Here's a video of how it's designed to save lives:

TriMet wasn't the only transit agency that experienced steady growth thanks to higher gas prices and a stronger job market in 2011. The New York Times preports: “Americans took 10.4 billion rides on public transportation in 2011 — a billion more than they took in 2000, and the second most since 1957, according to a report being released Monday by the American Public Transportation Association.”

For the first time in 60 years, New York City is building a new subway line. This is what it looks like, courtesy of some excellent subterranean photos from The Gothamist's Jake Dobkin.

View full sizeMTAMining of the cavern that will house the Second Avenue Subway's 72nd Street Station.

The Toyota Prius concept bike features a monocoque carbon-fiber frame, built-in smartphone dock and wind-tunnel-tested aerodynamic tweaks. Oh, and it lets you shift gears with your mind. Look! no hands. But you do need to carry an iPad with a special app to control the wireless neuro-controls.